THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S GEM GRANITES KARNATAKA
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue on the grounds of low tax effect, as submitted by the Revenue's counsel. The court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The specific findings on the merits of the penalty deletion by the ITAT were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 25.03.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertained to the assessment year 1995-96 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of a penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act. The assessee is M/s. Gem Granites (Karnataka). The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. However, the Revenue later submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by deleting the penalty levied, as the assessee had filed inaccurate particulars of income without taking into account the provisions of Section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act? The Revenue argued that the Tribunal's deletion of the penalty was incorrect, particularly in light of the assessee allegedly filing inaccurate particulars of income, which should have been considered in conjunction with Section 40A(3). The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee as they were absent. The Revenue's primary submission for not pursuing the appeal was based on the low tax effect as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.761 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.761 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Gem Granites (Karnataka) #18A, Rajamannar Street, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. PAN: AAAFG0514D ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 25.03.2015 made in ITA.No.789/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 1995-96. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : No appearance JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.761 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 25.03.2015 made in ITA.No.789/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 1995-96. 3.The appeal was admitted on 15.09.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : "(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c)? and (ii) Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by deleting the penalty levied, as the assessee had filed inaccurate particulars of income without taking into account the provisions of Section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.761 of 2015 is further submitted that the tax effect in this case is less than the threshold limit. 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeal is dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Gem Granites (Karnataka) #18A, Rajamannar Street, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.761 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.761 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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